Until now, large quantities of organic waste have been treated by specialist waste management companies. This project helps to reduce costs, not only the cost of treating the waste, but also because it produces compost for the golf courses.

La Manga Club, 19 February 2018 -. La Manga Club has launched a pilot project for the treatment of the organic waste that is produced after clarification stage in the water treatment plant. Until now, most of this organic material was collected and treated by specialist waste management companies. This represented a significant cost because at certain times of the year up to 10 cubic metres of waste can be generated every week. It is estimated that waste management costs between €10,000 and €12,000 a year (not including the costs of compost and other factors).

Launched three years ago, this pilot project is on a small scale and is very simple. As Raúl Bragado, head of golf course maintenance, explains, it uses red wiggler earthworms to convert organic waste into compost. The process is called vermicomposting and uses earthworms to "eat" the organic waste and turn it into compost - worm humus - that can be used on golf courses and gardens. This compost is rich in nutrients and beneficial micro organisms that are capable of replacing pathogenic microorganisms that damage existing plant life.

This process, from when we add the organic waste to when it is converted into compost, takes around two months, and the aim is to use it as an extra phase in the water purification process.

The system consists of a waterproof surface, with a collection basin with leachates, which is attached to the purifier. This surface has two separate areas: the area where the worms "work" to create the compost and the area where the spare waste is poured and is then stabilised with lime.